"'I guess the deck can take care of itself all right,' I answered.
"'No, I don't mean that,' he said solemnly. 'I mean, if the boat turned over when I was in the cabin, I should lose my life, I should be d-d-drowned.'
"'By Jove, so you would!' I exclaimed, as if struck by the gravity of the idea.
"'D'you really think it would be more dangerous below than here?' put in another of the boobies anxiously.
"'You're all insured, ain't you?' I asked with a wooden face.
"'Yes,' they gulped as a spray took them; 'but for God's sake turn the boat round and go back.'
"'Can't; too dangerous to run before this sea,' I declared, making a big bluff.
"They were getting too much for my patience altogether, so with a wild cry of 'Look out!' I shoved the helm over and soused them again.
"This time I had them all as limp as a wet swab, and as the wave hit them they screeched like so many frightened women. But directly the water cleared off there was more tongue-wagging.
"'My God! I thought we were gone,' gasped one.